The Man Who Cancelled Himself

Stewart Hoag #6

by David Handler

Hired by fallen television star Lyle Hudnut, whose career was shattered by scandal, writer Stewart Hoag reluctantly begins penning the actor's memoirs and learns a deadly truth about a network's secret practices. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Humor

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 1, 1995

About the author

AKA Russell Andrews (with Peter Gethers)

David Handler, who began his career in New York as a journalist, was born and raised in Los Angeles and published two highly acclaimed novels about growing up there, Kiddo and Boss, before resorting to a life of crime fiction.

Reviews

[Kim Gasparini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as I have liked the others. The characters were more difficult to like, and as such I wasn't that invested.

[Carole Sustak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not one of Handler’s better pieces.

[BRT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoagy and Lulu are hired by an obnoxious t.v. star to write a memoir that will bring him out of the doghouse. A smarmier, more neurotic group of people than in his earlier novels, the culprit eludes detection by Hoagy and the police as the bodies pile up. At times you think you might recognize the real life person as depicted in these books but then you realize that it's more a conglomeration of all the worst types from that particular profession. Always a juicy read.

[Shari (Shira)]

Look at me! I'm abandoning a book! I started my third Stewart Hoag book and decided to ABANDON IT! It's cute and fun, but Handler seems be in a rut. It is no longer funny that Lulu the basset hound likes fish. I didn't giggle when Hoagy meets someone and asked to be called Hoagy, the person says, "Like Carmicheal?" And he says, "No, like the sandwich." Ready to go on to another book.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite liking the main character and the wit that he displays, the rest of the characters seem wholly cliche. What's the story? Where's it going and when is it going to get started? Ramble, ramble, blabbity blabbity blabbity blah. Slow, tedious and the only place it's going fast is nowhere.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been binge-reading this series for the past few weeks. They're consistently amusing page-turners. The unwary reader might even find themselves getting caught up in the personal life of Stewart Hoag and Merilee Nash.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I always enjoy Lulu and Hoagy, this entry was a bit too long and all the personal angst did not add that much to the plot. Listened to the audio version which was ably narrated by Sean Runnette.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book first before discovering that it is #6 in a series. Now I want to read the others. An entertaining read.

[Kay Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good entry in the Stewart Hoag series, this one set in the world of sitcom production in Manhattan in the mid 1990s. Full of the usual eccentric characters and Hoagy's snarky observations.

[RustyShack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay as recovery reading, but a laboured first section and actually terrible last section.

[SusanA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going back and trying to catch the Stewart Hoag stories I never read. Dang, Handler’s a good storyteller.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read and I do like Hoagie.

[Araych · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stewart Hoag #6. Light amusing mystery set in the world of writing and filming a TV sitcom. I do enjoy the series -- 3 stars.

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Handler has written a series of Stewart Hoag mysteries in which Hoag is a ghost writer hired to collaborate on the autobiography of an individual. During the course of research and interaction with the subject he discovers a mystery which he then proceeds to solve (of course.) Hoag has been hired to work with Lyle Hugnut, star of the Uncle Chubby show (the puns just roll all over the place.) Lyle has been caught with his pants down in an adult theater and the network wants to cancel his show. His girl friend, Katrina, (well, never mind, I was about to make a joke about Hooters, but we'll skip that.) Soon weird things are happening on the set and the network sends "God" (Godfrey) to straighten things out, but actors get sick, one of the characters is killed, electrocuted while peeing into a urinal, and it looks like someone is out to get the Uncle Chubby show cancelled. Lots of puns and funny characters. Don't take it seriously; just enjoy the ride. I hope Handler's others are equally enjoyable.

I listened to this one on audio (Audible.com,) delightfully read by Tom Stechschulte, one of my favorite readers.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyle Hudnut is the rude, crude obese star of “The Uncle Chubby Show,” the popular sitcom, and wants Stewart “Hoagy” Hoag to ghostwrite his biography. Uncle Chubby needs damage control; he was apprehended by police in a porno movie theater where he was arrested for indecent exposure.
But someone is sabotaging the television show—who could it be? The world-weary, cynical scriptwriters? Chubby’s co-star and ex-wife Fiona? His current girlfriend, the tough-as-nails, leopard skin-clad Katrina?
Hoagy also comes to an agreement with his ex-wife, actress Merilee Nash, and Lulu, the bassett hound, is injured in a fight with a Rottweiler. This series never disappoints.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another mystery with our favorite ghost writer. I would probably never have read these, or or that matter most other mysteries (lost interest in them long ago) if not for my wife. Oddly, she never cared for these much, but once I read one I read several.

Anyway...Hoag's in over his head here, again.

[jacque scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoagy and Lulu

Really falling love with this series. I enjoy the writing style, the subtle humor and especially hoary,s character. I would recommend this as series to anyone.

[Traci Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a slow start to the book, but once it got going. It was hard to put down.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the weakest of the 6 I’ve read. It dragged. The ending seemed contrived. I hope the next one is better.

[Marylouise Coolidge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and captivating